Scientists create darkest material

January 14, 2008

A scientist at a Houston university has created the darkest known material -- about four times darker than the previous record holder.

Pulickel Ajayan, a professor of engineering at Rice University, created a carpet of carbon nanotubes that reflects 0.045 percent light, making it 100 times darker than a black-painted Corvette, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

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If it works for the visible spectrum, it would seem that with some modifications of the nanotube structure it could also absorb other frequencies. This could be utilized in UV and IR (very close in frequency) counter measures as well as provide isolation on higher frequency transmission antennas, such as L-Band (not so close in frequecy, so the physical size may not be practical).

Where does the photon energy go and what is the physics model?
Is it a case of the frequency of the photon resonating with the outer electrons in the material and being transmuted 100% into thermal energy. Or is the photoelectric effect however as the material has high resistance so electric potential generates heat. Where do the photons go and by what process?

The photons get absorbed (by the electron), the electrons jump to a higher energy state, then drop back down and emit a lower frequency photon, the loss in energy translates into heating of the molecule. The wider the range of frequencies the molecule absorbs, the more energy it will end up absorbing as heat.

The photo electric effect actually frees the electron so it creates a positive charge on the surface of the material. The ability to eject an electron is determined by the frequency of the photon, not the number of photons. Brighter light just heats the material more, it doesn't cause a charge. Most materials won't start ejecting electrons until frequencies hit the x-ray range.